[Touch Diamond2, Pure Themes and Apps] gadgetgaz:
I thought a new thread would be useful because the other satnav threads are interspersed with different software solutions and I know quite a few people are anxious to get a working satnav solution on their Diamond 2.

I've dumped Tomtom for various reasons that I won't go into here so now I am trying new solutions and Navigon seem to be a real contender. If you have been looking into Navigon you will no doubt have stumbled upon the Touch HD thread http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=446487 with the 3 hacked files to make it work on the Diamond 2's wvga screen.

I am working on the premise that the hacked files do not impinge on Navigon's profits and I am happy to use them until Navigon make an official wvga version. I am using the 30 day try before you buy version and intend to buy the full version if I am happy with the software.

I downloaded the trial software from their UK site and chose the ~400MB UK only maps. The software version that I was served up was 7.3.1 build 137 and, as expected, did not work at all on my D2. I assumed that the trial download would be the latest available and another thread stated that the latest was 7.3.2 and that only one hacked file was needed. I tried that single file and the program would not start. I didn't know what version I had at that point because the app wouldn't start. Therefore, I copied the three hacked files into the relevant places in the navigon folder and, hey presto, it worked.

It didn't find the in-built gps receiver straight away and I can't remember exactly what I did but I mucked about with the gps settings and had it working in a minute or two. It obtained a satellite lock indoors within about 30 seconds. Very impressive so far!

I installed the "Navigon Fresh" software on my PC and it immediately updated itself to a more recent version. It found my Navigon installation on the D2 when I connected it in diskdrive mode via USB. I tried to search for a more uptodate software version but whatever I did Fresh stated that I had an "invalid device definition" and wouldn't do anything. So I continued with the version I had.

The settings and preferences seem a bit convoluted compared to tomtom navigator, they seem a bit spread around rather than being all in one place. I guess you can soon get used to that. gps updates are quick, I would say at least two screen updates per second and navigation is easy to follow when in the car. I can't find a zoom function in 3D mode and I find the default a bit too zoomed-out i.e. it shows your route for about a mile in front of you - I'd prefer just a few hundred yards.

The screen is a bit stretched but not sop much that it is noticeable, the speed signs are oval rather than round but the whole of the screen is used up and it is all quite readable. The road names are a bit too small to read when driving but the directions and speed readout etc are all just fine. The voice navigation is excellent! The directions are very clear and precise for instance the lady says something like "in three hundred metres take the second exit on the roundabout onto Manchester Road." She sounds really quite human and not robot-like at all. One thing I don't like though is that it sometimes tells you turn left for a right turn off a roundabout.

I don't know about the full version but the trial version MUST have a working internet connection to start up so that it can check its validity. Therefore, no network connection = no navigation. This

could

be a real problem. All in all, so far, I am quite impressed with it.

Sorry for the rambling post but I hope this will be useful for someone who is looking for a D2 satnav solution.